The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-30
Scheming for the Senatorship.

Whatever Governor Gray and his friends may
say in dsclaiming opposition to Judge Turpie,
they seriously count on events favorable to their
faction of the Democratic party A position OF
apparent inactivity has been assumed because
there is nothing to be gained in forcing antag-
onism, and the present situation is better for
future purposes than the caucus nomination at
the outset would have been. 1t is servlceabe ir
defining what may happen. and which Is the
plan that the Gray men foster, as it is described
by those who have the advantage of inside
information, to recall significant incident
in the joint convention. week ago Robinson
wavered in his fealty to Allen. There was an
ominous hesitation when the clerk called his
name and. when he did vote. the response came
with suggestive feebleness. At that time the
Turpie men were certain of mis- vote on the next
ballot 1t is presumed that his desire for patron
age had received promise of fulfllment, but the
convention adjourned before Robinson could
carry out his part of the agreement. 1t was not
| many hours after this until Sam Williams ap-
peared on the scene. and since then the talk and
speculation as to Robinson deserving Allen
have become less and less until little
or nothing is heard in that direction. 1t is the
| opinion that Robinson has gone too far to re-
| trace his steps. and that he has, as Democrat
| expresses 1t, burned his bridges behind him."
| It is not very hard to place upon Williams the
| burden of Bynums interests. He made casual
reference yesterday to what had been saId about
| Bynum and him consulting over the situation
| not many weeks ago during supposed political
visit of the former to the south part of the State.
| Williams does not directly deny the statement.
| but tries to lead one to think no motive
| for such a consultation exists by saying
| that he has not seen, Bynum for two or three
| months Yet, in a moment of exuberant ado
miration for the Seventh district Congressman,
| implying that the latter was not figuring in the.
! senatorial struggle, Williams said yesterday:
| "Bynum will be the Democratic nominee for
| Governor two years hence" He did not attempt
l - 81. - =
| references to it one can infer that he does not
anticipate any change, certainly not until the
| Green Smith suit is decided. and probably not
| throughout the entire session. Williams will
favor the Allen quadri!ateral until he is ready to
| consent to Robinson flying off his corner, and in
| holding the Representative to it. The conf
dences the two have shared in the past are being
| used to advantage.
But cutting deeply to the center of the plan,
| those who are capable of doing it say the SEN
atorial ambition of Governor Gray will appear.
It is to his interest for Robinson to remain just
| where he is in the senatorial voting, but, Of
course, in effecting it Williams demands recog.
milton for his services Presumably speaking
| for Bynum he will be contented if the Gray
| men promise to make sure the gubernatorial
nomination of the Seventh district Com
done by those accredited with authority to
manipulate deals behalf of the Governor.
In consideration Of this assurance it is under,
stood that Governor Gray. two years hence, is
|
Bynum ambition to that end. On the contrary,
the Bynum people are expected to forward the
Governors senatorial candidacy by trying to
elect General Assembly in 1883 for that pur-
pose While this plan is contingent on
the result of the current senatorial
baoting, it is regarded as something
certain to occur both by the Bynum and Gray
men. From both of these sides can be gathered
opinions that point only to no election this year
for they give out the assurance that Robinson
will remain steadfast to the end unless it is
thought advisable to spring the immediate nomi
nation of Gray if the Supreme Court decision IL
favorable. But in that event the agreement
which is said to have been ratified within the
past few days secures the Gray support for By.
mum for Governor. If there is no election
it is expected that Gray will seek to
placate the Turpie men by appointing their can
didate to serve as Senator until 1885, when the
Bynum- Gray combination looks to the accom-
plishment of its end in controlling the Democ
racy of the State. politician who was among
the most frantic of Bynum's enemies last sum,
mer said yesterday: you know / opposed By
mum. but if the thing was to do over again
would support him against all corners, and if
was in the convention l would vote for him
from the jump He is my candidate for Gov
ernor." The significance Of this remark il
found in tho fact that the man who made it il
very close to Governor Gray.